System, method and computer-accessible medium for predicting response to electroconvulsice therapy based on brain functional connectivity patterns

ABSTRACT

An exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium for determining a position or a characteristic of a target(s) for a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment of a patient(s) can be provided, which can include, for example, receiving imaging information of a portion(s) of a head of the patient(s), and determining the position or the characteristic of the target(s) for the TMS treatment of the patient(s) based on the imaging information. The imaging information can be magnetic resonance imaging information. The imaging information can include information regarding a brain and a skull of the patient(s). The position or the characteristic of the target(s) can be determined by identifying (i) the skull, and (ii) a parcel in a section(s) of a brain of the patient(s). The parcel can a dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) parcel. The DLPFC parcel can be identified using a parcellation procedure, which can be a human connectome pipeline procedure

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/499,850, filed on Sep. 30, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The present application also relates to and claims priority from International Patent Application No. PCT/US2018/025457 filed Mar. 30, 2018 which published as International Publication No. WO 2018/183887 on Oct. 4, 2018 and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/478,951, filed on Mar. 30, 2017, and 62/492,601, filed on May 1, 2017, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made with government support under Grant Nos. MH096104 and MH090783, awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to electroconvulsive therapy, and more specifically, to exemplary embodiments of an exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium for predicting response to electroconvulsive therapy (“ECT”) based on brain functional connectivity patterns.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Previous work has examined the functional connectivity between different brain regions using standard functional brain imaging, or functional magnetic resonance imaging (“fMRI”). However, prior approaches could not accurately predict the effect of ECT on the brain of a patient. For example, some approaches can obtain a sensitivity of approximately 85%. Indeed, these prior approaches still miss approximately 15% of true responders, and would discourage greater than 20% of individuals from receiving ECT who might actually benefit from the treatment.

Electroconvulsive therapy (“ECT”) has been proven to be one of the most effective last resort procedures in many psychiatric disorders within clinical trials. However, due to its side-effects, it is only prescribed for severely depressed patients who have failed to respond to antidepressants (“TRD”) or may not be affected by pharmacological treatments. Remission rates of ECT are approximately 50%. The high efficacy for the most severe and refractory illness is combined with a shorter time to optimal response than required for antidepressants. Because of such efficacious record in clinical response, ECT can be a good candidate for early treatment of other illnesses such as severely agitated or suicidal patients. Despite its impressive efficacy, ECT carries a number of after-effects and risks. These side-effects include, for example, (i) confusion immediately after treatment, which can last from a few minutes to several hours, (i) memory loss causing trouble in remembering events that occurred right before treatment or in the weeks or months before treatment, (iii) physical side effects such as nausea, headache, jaw pain or muscle ache, and (iv) anesthesia runs the risks of medical complications such as heart rate and blood pressure increase, and in rare cases it can lead to serious heart problems.

ECT is known to be effective only in approximately 50% of individuals. Currently, the prescription of ECT can be driven by diagnostic and clinical indicators (e.g., APA, CANMAT, and NICE). The treatment can be most commonly recommended for unipolar or bipolar depression characterized by suicidal behavior, psychosis, catatonia, and/or resistance to psychotropic drugs. There are currently no guidelines to offer biologically-based predictors to more accurately predict response to ECT. To date, no biomarker with strong predictive characteristics has been developed. The practice of ECT would be significantly enhanced by a personalized approach based on biomarkers, which could precisely identify which patients are most likely to benefit from the treatment, thus optimizing the benefits against the risks of treatment for those who are candidates for ECT.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (“TMS”) over left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (“L-DLPFC”) is an FDA approved treatment for TRD but only partially effective, with response and remission rates of 41.2% and 35.3%, respectively. (See, e.g., References 25 and 26). Current targeting procedures for rTMS rely on the 5-cm rule. This approach provides only approximate targeting of L-DLPFC with no consistent differentiation among potentially relevant DLPFC subregions. A long-term goal of TMS research is to guide TMS targeting on a personalized basis in order to improve consistency of targeting across individuals. Nevertheless, optimal methods for targeting remain to be developed. (See, e.g., References 27-29).

Thus, it may be beneficial to provide an exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium for predicting response to electroconvulsive therapy based on brain functional connectivity patterns, which can be used to accurately predict the effect of ECT on the brain of a patient.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium for determining an effect(s) of a convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) on a patient(s) can be provided, which can include, for example, receiving first information related to a visual network of a brain of the patient(s), receiving second information related to a subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex network of the brain of the patient(s), and determining the effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) based on a relationship between the first information and the second information. The convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) can be an electroconvulsive therapy or magnetic seizure therapy.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(s) can be determined based on a connectivity between the visual network, the dorsolateral prefrontal network, and/or the subgenual ACC network. The connectivity can be a functional connectivity or an anatomical connectivity. The functional connectivity can be based upon functional brain imaging and alterations in the BOLD signal response. The anatomical connectivity can be based on white matter tracts in the visual network, dorsolateral prefrontal or the subgenual ACC network. The anatomical connectivity can be determined based on a diffusion tensor imaging procedure.

In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, third information related to a dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of the brain can be received, and the one effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) can be determined based on a further relationship between the first information and the third information. The DLPFC can be coupled to the subgenual ACC network. The DLPFC can also be negatively coupled to the subgenual ACC network. The effect(s) can be determined based on a visual covariate(s). The effect(s) can include a response of the patient(s) to the convulsive therapy(ies). The response can be a positive response. The first information and/or the second information can be received from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus. The MRI apparatus can be a functional MM apparatus. Third information can be generated based on the relationship between the first information and the second information, and the effect(s) can be determined by comparing the third information to fourth information related to a previous determination of the effect(s) on a plurality of further brains of a plurality of further patients. The second information can further include a default mode network of the brain of the patient(s).

These and other objects, features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

An exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium for determining a position or a characteristic of a target(s) for a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment of a patient(s) can be provided, which can include, for example, receiving imaging information of a portion(s) of a head of the patient(s), and determining the position or the characteristic of the target(s) for the TMS treatment of the patient(s) based on the imaging information. The imaging information can be magnetic resonance imaging information. The imaging information can include information regarding a brain and a skull of the patient(s). The position or the characteristic of the target(s) can be determined by identifying (i) the skull, and (ii) a parcel in a section(s) of a brain of the patient(s). The parcel can a dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) parcel. The DLPFC parcel can be identified using a parcellation procedure, which can be a human connectome pipeline procedure.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, The DLPFC parcel can be identified using an atlas(es). The DLPFC parcel can be parcel 46. The DLPFC parcel can be a ventral area of DLPFC46. The DLPFC parcel can be parcel (i) p9-46v, (ii) pSTS, (iii) TPOJ, (iv) MT, (iv) A1, (vi) LBelt or (vii) STV. A placement a TMS coil on the portion(s) of the head of the patient(s) can be determined based on the position or the characteristic of the target(s). The placement(s) can be transmitted to a neuronavigation device(s). Information related to a particular position(s) or a particular orientation of the TMS coil relative to the position or the characteristic of the target(s) can be recorded, and a placement of the TMS coil based relative to the target(s) can be verified based on the particular position or the particular orientation.

In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, information concerning a psychiatric disorder associated with the patient(s) can be received, and the determination of the position or the characteristic of the target(s) can be based on the information. The psychiatric disorder can be (i) depression, (ii) Autism, (iii) suicidality, (iv) obsessive compulsive disorder, or (v) hallucinations. A database(s) having information related to a plurality of disorders and associated brain parcels can be accessed, the psychiatric disorder can be matched to a particular disorder of the disorders, a particular brain parcel of the brain parcels associated with the particular disorder can be determined, and determine the position or the characteristic of the target(s) can be determined based on the particular parcel. A TMS procedure can be performed on the patient(s) based on the position or the characteristic of the target(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figure(s) showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram and an exemplary set of images of a subgenual connectivity with a negative region of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary set of images of a target for personalized rTMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3C are exemplary graphs of receiver operating characteristic curves for the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A is an exemplary flow diagram of an exemplary method for determining an effect of a convulsive stimulation therapy on a patient according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a further exemplary flow diagram of a further exemplary method for determining an effect of a convulsive stimulation therapy on a patient according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is an exemplary graph illustrating the difference in response rate between groups (e.g., sdTMS vs. pgTMS) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a set of exemplary brain images illustrating the contrast pgTMS versus sdTMS of the parcellation-based connectome between left DLPFC(46) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5C is an exemplary graph illustrating rsFC change difference between left DLPFC(46) and left DMN(s32) by group, and of each group according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5D is an exemplary graph illustrating a correlation with group difference in the association between change in HDRS and change in rsFC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is set of exemplary brain images illustrating the contrast pgTMS versus sdTMS of the parcellation-based connectome between left DMN(s32) (medial view) used as seed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is an exemplary graph illustrating rsFC change difference between left DMN(s32) and bilateral VIS(ventral) by group, and of each group according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6C is an exemplary graph illustrating a correlation with group difference in the association between change in HDRS and change in rsFC according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6D is an exemplary diagram of rsFC structure after sdTMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6E is an exemplary diagram of rsFC structure after pgTMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6F is an exemplary diagram of rsFC structure after ECT according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is an exemplary SgACC rsFC visual map used to identify correlated DLPFCpos according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is an exemplary SgACC rsFC visual map used to identify anticorrelated DLPFCneg according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is an exemplary image illustrating an exemplary baseline s32 rsFC map from sdTMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is an exemplary image illustrating an exemplary baseline s32 rsFC map from pgTMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9C are exemplary images and associated graphs illustrating the development of biomarkers for suicidality and its treatment response to ECT on a sample of 18 TRD patients according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10A-10D are exemplary graphs illustrating a validation of biomarkers on an independent sample of 20 TRD responders and non-responders to TMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary flow diagram of an exemplary method for determining a target(s) for a transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment of a patient(s) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary block diagram of an exemplary system in accordance with certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments and is not limited by the particular embodiments illustrated in the figure(s) and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Exemplary Predicting Response to Electroconvulsive Therapy Based on Brain Functional Connectivity Patterns

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can utilize fMRI patterns between brain regions in a group of patients referred for ECT, and compare the patterns of functional connectivity in those patients who went on to benefit from ECT from those patients that did not benefit from ECT. A functional connectivity network can be defined using any of a number of parcellation procedures, including, for example, those defined using histological data (e.g. Brodmann map), those defined using functional connectivity (see, e.g., Reference 24) or those defined using multi-modal parcellation procedures. (See, e.g., Reference 24). A pattern of baseline connectivity can include two brain regions, one referred to as the subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex (“sgACC”) and the other referred to as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (“DLPFC”), both of which can be used to predict patient response to ECT therapy.

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can include an integrated system to predict response to ECT based upon brain functional connectivity patterns, as determined, for example, using fMRI, although other imaging modalities can be used. The information obtained using the fMRI from a group of 18 subjects treated with ECT at Columbia/NYSPI was utilized. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to predict with greater than 90% accuracy, which subjects would respond to ECT, and also to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment.

ECT has been believed as the “gold standard” treatment for depression, but nevertheless can be associated with significant side effects, including the need for general anesthesia, and memory loss for the period of the treatment, as well as memory loss for prior events. It may also induce remission of depression in only about 50% of individuals. Other individuals may only show a partial response. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to predict which subjects can respond to ECT.

Approximately 100,000 patients receive ECT each year in the United States at a cost of about $20,000-50,000 per subject. In addition to the prediction of a response to ECT, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, can determine the number of treatments needed per each treatment course (e.g., typically patients receive multiple treatments over the course of weeks), and can be utilized to monitor patients during the course of their illness to determine when “maintenance” ECT can be beneficial. The exemplary prediction produced by the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, can produce superior results when other measures can also be used, for example, connectivity involving only a specific portion of DLPFC (e.g., termed the “anticorrelated region” or “DLPFC_(neg)”), and when other brain networks including the Visual network and the Default Mode networks can be included.

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can thus be used to predict an exemplary treatment response. In addition, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can be utilized to monitor the treatment efficacy (e.g., determine how many treatments need to be given) and/or predict a potential relapse in patients who have previously responded to ECT.

Although both of the regions of the brain that can be utilized (e.g., sgACC and DLPFC) can be known to be involved in depression, only one subregion of DLPFC was previously determined to contribute to the prediction system, whereas other regions did not. In contrast, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can utilize information provided from multiple regions of the brain, whereby previously only one region was used, in order to obtain superior results.

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to obtain and/or generate functional MM information (e.g., using a computing device). Functional interconnection among brain regions, (e.g., among visual and default mode networks relative to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) can be determined using such exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium. A database of patterns associated with good versus poor outcomes from ECT can be generated and/or utilized thereby. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can refine predictions based on continually acquired information. The exemplary results can then be presented to clinician.

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can, for example, subdivide the frontal cortex into “correlated” and “anti-correlated” regions, and use, for example, the anti-correlated region. In addition, visual to frontal connectivity can also be considered/examined. Based on the above, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, can accurately predict responses in 92% of subjects, including all non-responders.

Using an exemplary model, the exemplary correlation between DLPFC and visual system can be p=0.005. The correlation strength can increase to p=0.0009 when other connections can be analyzed and taken into account, for example, by multivariate analysis. Thus, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can increase the predictive value of the magnetic resonance imaging (“MM”) magnetic resonance (“MR”) scan. In addition, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, can detect potential sources of error in the MRI MR scan including issues such as misalignment or motion.

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can reduce the number of individuals who turn out to be non-responders to ECT treatment from about 50% to greater than about 10%, while still identifying likely responders. Thus, the use of the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, can save approximately 30,000 courses of treatment annually, which in turn can reduce health care costs by approximately $60-300M (e.g., in addition to reductions in patient inconvenience and side effects).

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can generate a database of patient information which can be used to analyze further patients. In addition to ECT, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to optimize use of non-invasive treatments (e.g., other than ECT/MST), such as TMS or transcranial direct electical current stimulation (“tDCES”). Examples of tES include transcranial direct current stimulation (“tDCS”), transcranial alternating current stimulation (“tACS”) and transcranial random noise (“tRNS”) stimulation. These treatments use much lower energy than ECT, and do not cause seizures. However, they can also be less effective. Both TMS and tDCS tES can be administered in the fMRI, and the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can be used to determine if a given placement stimulation approach can successfully remap the underlying circuits. When the correct locations per patient can be determined, subsequent treatments can be provided outside of the scanner.

Exemplary Cycle of Care

Patients with symptoms resembling depression can be presented to their primary care physician (“PCP”) who can render diagnosis, and either prescribe the standard protocol of care for such patients, or depending on the severity of the symptoms, refer the patients to a psychiatrist. The standard psychiatric evaluation of the patients can be carried out according to DSM V after which the patient can be diagnosed with major depression disorder (“MDD”). Multiple drug classes exist for the treatment of MDD. While newer classes of medications can usually be the first line of treatment, older medications might be chosen, depending on the subtype of MDD, the age of the patient, cost considerations, and the practitioner's preferences. Most antidepressants have similar rates of efficacy overall, and time to onset of effectiveness (e.g., they all generally require 4-6 weeks to achieve maximum therapeutic benefit) (see, e.g., Reference 4), although can differ in terms of side-effect profiles.

Existing guidelines recommend four pharmacological strategies for the management of partial response or non-response of MDD: (i) increasing the dose of the antidepressant, (ii) switching to a different antidepressant, (iii) augmenting the treatment regimen with a non-antidepressant agent such as lithium, atypical antipsychotic drugs or thyroid hormones, or (iv) combining the initial antidepressant with a second antidepressant. (See, e.g., Reference 5). The patient can be continuously monitored by the psychiatrist. ECT can be considered for patients with severe MDD that may not be responsive to psychotherapeutic and/or pharmacological interventions, particularly those with significant functional impairment who have not responded to numerous medication trials. (See, e.g., Reference 6). The decision to recommend the use of ECT derives from a risk/benefit analysis for the specific patient. This analysis considers the diagnosis of the patient and the severity of the presenting illness, the patient's treatment history, the anticipated speed of action and efficacy of ECT, the medical risks and anticipated adverse side effects. These factors can be considered in making a determination to use ECT.

Patients with TRD can be divided into, e.g., two groups: (i) responders to ECT and (ii) non-responders to ECT. Potential responders can receive ECT with a higher degree of certainty about the outcome, and potential non-responders can be spared of the negative post-ECT after-effects, and can be directly committed to another treatment that would have otherwise had to wait based the response to the ECT treatment. Among the healthcare providers, a psychiatrist can use the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium and incorporate the new tool in their Pre-ECT Evaluation procedure to save their time and care for those patients who can certainly respond to ECT. Hospitals and private clinics can also spare the unnecessary resources that would be used to treat the non-responders patients, increasing the hospital utilization and positive outcomes, and insurance companies can save the unnecessary expense of an expensive treatments that may not improve the patients' condition. Further, society at large can be spared the substantial cost of futilely financing a treatment with no outcome, and harmful side effects.

One exemplary alternative for ECT can be TMS. TMS generally uses a specifically designed magnetic coil that can be placed in close proximity with the head to generate rapidly alternating magnetic fields and produce electrical stimulation of superficial cortical neurons. Based on the results of a multisite randomized sham-controlled clinical trial of high-frequency TMS over the DLPFC (see, e.g., Reference 7), TMS was cleared by the food and drug administration (“FDA”) in 2008 for use in individuals with MDD who have not had a satisfactory response to at least one antidepressant trial in the current episode of illness. Initially, FDA approved a particular TMS device, called NeuroStar, manufactured by Neuronetics, Inc. In 2013, FDA approved another device, manufactured by Brainsway. In the years since FDA sanctioned the therapy, TMS treatment centers have been proliferating across the country. A typical course of TMS therapy involves 20 to 30 sessions, generally given in three to five treatments per week for four to six weeks. The full course of therapy with the pricey machines can cost $6,000 to $12,000. During the treatments, patients remain awake and alert, seated in a chair while a physician or a nurse places the device against the scalp. Slowly, insurance companies have begun to cover the non-invasive, though costly, treatments. However, plenty of questions about TMS still linger, including how best to deliver it, which patients make the best candidates, and even what exactly the device is doing in the brain. Despite these concerns, the therapy is gaining support from patients and mental health providers alike. Current guidelines have been drafted to direct rTMS at a site 5.5-cm anterior to motor cortex, called M1_(hand), with threshold set at 120% of motor threshold. (See, e.g., Reference 8). Using this procedure, approximately 60% of patients who have failed to respond to a course of medication show beneficial response. (See, e.g., References 9-14). Nevertheless, efficacy remains below that of ECT.

There can be a limited number therapeutic options for TRD patients. One recently developed approach can be rTMS over left DLPFC. Recent studies have demonstrated overall antidepressant benefit of rTMS in patients who fail to respond to a trial of antidepressant medication. Nevertheless, for many patients, the response can be incomplete, suggesting the need for further optimization. One potential cause of heterogeneous response might be related to individual differences in brain anatomy and connectivity patterns. At present, the rTMS stimulation site across subjects can be based upon a fixed location relative to motor cortex. However, this approach can be optimized, for example, by stimulating based upon the individual's brain functional connectivity pattern. The exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to determine that the efficacy of TMS can be limited because the distance from motor cortex (“5-cm rule”) does not guide TMS to the most effective location for each individual and that targeting based upon specific features of brain organization for each individual, can produce more robust and consistent results. Circuit-based targets can be an innovative approach to refine targeting for personalized TMS.

The exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can also include and/or utilize non-invasive brain stimulation procedures. Millions of dollars have been invested in the development of these alternate treatments.

The exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be stored and encrypted on premises or in the cloud, and can be paired with a database of growing patient ECT and TMS outcomes that can drive an exemplary machine learning engine to improve the procedure consistently as more data can be collected. The exemplary input to this program (e.g., executed by and operating in a computer) can be provided through a website file upload or file transfer protocol (“FTP”), and can automatically be recognized as an MRI output scan. The exemplary process can take approximately 24 hours to process the image and output the ECT efficacy or TMS targeting results in the form of a score or an image, respectively, which can then be sent back to the clinician in the form of a report. This time can vary based on multiple factors, and can be performed right before patient treatment. The exemplary procedure can compare each report against past efficacy data before it can be sent to the clinician.

Exemplary ECT

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can utilize fMRI FC patterns between brain regions from a group of patients that have already been treated with ECT, and categorized as responders vs. non-responders, can use such patterns to identify the patients referred for ECT treatment who can benefit from it from those who may not. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, an use a pattern of baseline connectivity involving two brain regions—subgenual ACC “sgACC” and DLPFC—to predict treatment outcome with more than 90% accuracy. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can use FC of a specific portion of DLPFC (e.g., termed the “anti-correlated region” or “DLPFC_(neg)”) which can be directly involved in the etiology of TRD. The exemplary PredECT uses DLPFC_(neg), sgACC network, and/or visual network can be used to render its efficacy prediction. In addition, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can take any input image and monitor the effectiveness during the course of treatment, and assess the risk of a potential relapse in patients who have previously responded to ECT.

Exemplary TMS

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can also be used to guide an exemplary TMS treatment targeting to enhance its efficacy. A pattern of baseline connectivity involving the region more dysfunctionally connected to sgACC (e.g., the anti-correlated region of DLPFC or DLPFC_(negs)) for a new individualized TMS therapy can be used. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can operate on the basis of the hypothesis that the clinical efficacy of rTMS reflects FC between left DLPFC and remote regions such as the sgACC, and that the precise regions of DLPFC that can be functionally connected (e.g., anticorrelated) to sgACC can differ across individuals. Thus, individualized FC patterns using resting state functional connectivity (“rsFC”) measures can assist in optimizing rTMS efficacy across individuals. Localizing DLPFC_(neg) for each individual based upon pre-treatment rsFC, and then specifically targeting DLPFC_(neg) can drastically improve outcome vs. standard non-personalized TMS (e.g., 5-cm rule).

Approximately 30% of individuals with MDD fail to respond to medication (“TRD”). For individuals with TRD ECT is the present gold-standard treatment but it can have limitations. Currently, 50% of patients undergoing ECT do not respond to their treatment. More than 30% refrain for seeking ECT treatment because of the risks and post-treatment effects. Despite these statistics, prior approaches could not accurately predict the effect of ECT on the brain of patient. They still miss approximately 15% of true responders, and they prevent more than 30% of TRD patients who might actually benefit from receiving ECT.

The exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to predict an individual response to ECT (e.g., using fMRI).

The exemplary biomarker incorporated in the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can, e.g.:

-   -   (i) reduce the number of non-responders from 50% to 5% or less         by detecting 95%-100% of responders.     -   (ii) enhance the balance between risks and benefits in the         decision-making process, and     -   (iii) act as a reliable biological marker for a         personalized-based medicine.

The value of the exemplary the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can outweigh its cost to the system because the exemplary the exemplary PredECT can reduce the number of individuals who turn out to be non-responders to ECT treatment from 50% to approximately 5%, by identifying the likely responders. Additionally, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can save approximately 30,000 courses of treatment annually, which in turn can reduce health care costs by approximately $300M (e.g., in addition to reductions in patient inconvenience and side effects). Further, the exemplary The exemplary PredECT can cut in half the number of patients receiving ECT each year from 100,000 in the United States, providing a savings of approximately 1 to 2.5 billion dollars, considering a cost of about $20,000-50,000 per subject. The additional cost involving an MRI would amount to about $200 million assuming an average cost of MRI scan to be $2,611. This means that the healthcare system can save about 800 million to 2.3 billion dollars annually.

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to predict an individual response to ECT prior to its implementation. Such exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can use images of the brain to assess functional relationships between different brain regions to determine an effect(s) of a convulsive stimulation therapy on a patient. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be an important and reliable predictor in the discrimination of responders vs. non-responders (e.g., >90% accuracy). Such exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can be a non-invasive procedure; patients may only need a standard functional MRI scan.

According to research by Healthnet updated in July 2016, major depression affects about 14-15 million adults, or approximately 5-8% of the adult population. Major depression, also known as MDD, unipolar depression, or clinical depression, can be a severe illness that results in significant disability and morbidity, and can be the leading cause of disability in many developed countries. More than about 60% of the individuals experiencing a major depressive episode (“MDE”) can have additional MDEs as often as once or twice a year. If untreated, the frequency and severity of depressive illness increase, often leading to suicide. Standard treatments used can include a host of antidepressant drugs that can often be used as an alternative to or in conjunction with evidence-based psychotherapy. After failing 2 trials from different antidepressant drug classes, plus augmentation procedures, patients can be considered drug resistant and remission rates drop to about 20%. ECT can be the standard non-drug somatic therapy for depression. Other non-medication somatic therapies include vagus nerve stimulation (“VNS”), deep brain stimulation (“DBS”), and TMS. Electrical stimulation of neurons in regions of the brain responsible for mood is commonly used. VNS has not lived up to its original promise and the trials of DBS may not yet be conclusive enough for wide use of this invasive procedure.

ECT can be used to induce a rapid improvement in symptoms, but may have to be repeated over several sessions (e.g., usually 6-10) to prevent relapse. TMS does not require anesthesia or surgery, and can be performed on an outpatient basis, but typically can be repeated 5 times per week over the course of 4-6 weeks to achieve maximum response. On a patient basis, the following can be estimated: 14.5 million adults*60% victims with frequent MDEs*20% complete remission rate=1.74 million patients. The market in terms of procedure numbers, e.g., just taking ECT and conservatively assuming 6 sessions can be 1.74 million*50%+1.74 million*50%*6=6.09 million procedures (e.g., assuming that half of the patients can be diagnosed as not responsive to ECT). For TMS, it's potentially 1.74 million*40%*5 times per week*4 weeks+1.74 million*60%=14.96 million procedures. For example, for market size in terms of dollars reimbursed, if it can be assumed that, for example, about $442.77 is an approximation of willingness-to-pay for the similar digital analysis procedure mentioned in conjunction with CPT code 95957, and taking the smaller procedure numbers from ECT, the market size=6.09 million*$442.77=$2.7 Billion for just one use of the diagnostic tool before each ECT treatment. This can be the Total Addressable Market assuming only ECT can be considered for MDD patients, which can be a conservative estimate, given that ECT can also be used for other mental disorders.

Given the efficacy of the technology right now, even a market entrant would not detriment the growth of the captured market share substantially.

An exemplary device that can use or incorporate the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium may not directly interact with the patient, which can only use the information from the patient, for example, fMRI maps and clinical assessment test results, can be used as an input to this diagnostic procedure. Thus, such exemplary device may not need FDA approval for common use in a “research” setting. Data from the 40 more subjects was generated to expand the patient population of proof-of-concept to vet the product, which can drive initial market acceptance and an even larger IRB-approved experiment. Existing data included (i) 18 patients treated by ECT used by the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium to correct efficacy assessment, (ii) IRB-approved study for treatment of 40 patients using the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, and (iii) 100-200 patient study for rigor in the use of the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium. An exemplary strategy can be determined to secure market use approval on a “research” basis, based on the following principles: Accurate program specification can be provided in which the exemplary diagnostic tool can be described. Particular exemplary characteristics of the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, which can be significant from an unmet need perspective, can be used to make an improvement in care of MDD patients compared to existing state of healthcare. The exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to identify patients who can respond to ECT treatment. This exemplary determination can be made based on a brain network that can target MDD patients. fMRI sensitivity can be used for detection of brain networks involved in depression, and the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium can predict responsiveness to the intended neuro-modulation by ECT.

In order to evaluate efficacy of the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, the following parameters exemplary ere used: 40 patients were enrolled with TRD over 1 year, and they were randomly assigned them to treatment with ECT using the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium to select patients based on personalized rsFC (e.g., group 1) or to the standard ECT procedure (e.g., group 2). All patients received MRIs at baseline, after 4^(th) session, after last session of ECT and at month 6 after completion of ECT treatments. Patients were monitored by psychiatrists, and followed for an additional period of 6 months. During the baseline inclusion visit, the inclusion/exclusion criteria were checked and participants were divided into two groups of 20 patients each. All patients in group 1 did their rsFC-map constructed on the baseline fMRI measurement to define their response to ECT using the exemplary PredECT. Upon completion of the MRI scan, the rsFC was computed and patients with higher likelihood to respond to ECT (e.g., low DLPFC_(neg) and sgACC network>−0.207) selected; the optimal cut-point was estimated from pilot data as responder>−0.20745. In group 2, patients followed the standard procedure. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, (e.g., group 1) can differ from standard ECT (e.g., group 2) for: (i) prediction of treatment response to select patients who can benefit from ECT, (ii) determining the number of treatments needed per treatment course, and (iii) monitoring patients during the course of their illness to determine when “maintenance” ECT can be required. A Hamilton depression rating scale rating scale (“HDRS”) (e.g., “HDRS-17) was also obtained at baseline and at the specific time points for analysis which included: baseline, after 4^(th) session, after last session of ECT and at month 6 after completion of ECT treatments. Raters were kept blinded to the treatment assignment.

After using the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium on group 1 or standard ECT on group 2, the responsiveness with HDRS-17 was assessed. The primary measure of efficacy can be the number of responders per group, defined by a decrease of at least 50% in the initial HDRS-17 score after last session of ECT and at month 6 after completion of ECT treatments. The number of treatments needed per subject at the end of each treatment course was recorded, and the number of remissions defined by a HDRS-17 score of <8 and HDRS item 1 (e.g., depressed mood) score=0 after last session of ECT and at month 6 after completion of ECT treatments was utilized. An increase in responsiveness to ECT in group 1 was seen compared to the existing 50% as an indication of success in this experiment. As such, a >80% responsiveness was obtained from the TRD patients who were selected for treatment by the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium. A lesser number of sessions per ECT course needed to achieve the expected response. Post ECT responders who maintain clinical response can be more likely to exhibit lower DLPFC_(neg) at 6-month scan than those who relapse.

Exemplary Statistical Analysis

Prior to testing the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, basic descriptive statistics were calculated using means and standard deviations, or proportions and per cents, as appropriate. The treatment groups were compared on such characteristics as age, gender, severity of depression, comorbid disorders; any difference which were included as covariates in outcome analyses. Handling of drop-outs and missing data: Missing data was imputed by interpolation (e.g., a subsequent data point exists) or last observation carried forward (e.g., no subsequent data point exists). All subjects having an initial MRI and at least one pre-treatment evaluation were included in analyses involving initial MRI only. All patients having a second MM were included in all analyses.

Exemplary Analyses: Mixed exemplary effect models were used with time (e.g., baseline, after last session of ECT), treatment group (remitter/non-remitter) levels: Additional time points (e.g. after 4^(th) session of treatment, month 6 after completion of ECT). The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, standard ECT) and time by treatment group interaction as independent variables and HDRS-17 as a dependent variable. The time-by-treatment group interaction was tested at the 5% significant level and the change scores from the baseline to the four follow-up time points and their 95% confidence intervals were computed by two groups to guide future definitive trials. In addition, the time can be treated as a continuous variable and the non-linearity of the time trend was tested by adding quadratic and cubic terms of time. In addition, the sample can be divided by the baseline rsFC between DLPFC_(neg) and sgACC network into two groups (e.g., high vs. low using the cutoff −0.207). Additionally, the three-way interaction between time, group and baseline rsFC group in the same mixed effect models was tested. The resulting three-way interaction suggests the moderation effect of baseline rsFC on the treatment.

Exemplary Power:

The attrition rate can be 10% over the 6 months' follow-ups, sample size of n=45 (e.g., n=55 per group) can result in n=100 (e.g., n=50 per group) completers in four weeks. Given the sample size of n=100, at least a moderate effect size of d=0.6 with 80% power at the 5% significant level being detected. A change in symptoms vs. change in biomarker was evaluated. Changes in HDRS-17 can correlate with change in rsFC in both groups, with larger symptom reduction correlated with greater change in rsFC. The study was powered to detect a moderate effect size correlation (e.g., r=0.28 in various groups.

Exemplary Analysis:

A time point of interest in the association can be provided after the last session of ECT (e.g., and at month 6 after completion of ECT treatments). Linear regression can be used with change scores in rsFC from baseline to last session of ECT, treatment group (e.g., two levels: The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium (and standard ECT) and their interactions as independent variables and changes in HDRS-17 as a dependent variable. The interaction between changes in rsFC and treatment group can be tested, which can be significant at 5% level. If it is not significant, the interaction term can be disregarded. In addition, e.g., the sample can be divided by the baseline DLPFC_(neg) into two groups (e.g., high vs. low using the cutoff −0.207) and test the three-way interaction between change in rsFC, group and baseline rsFC group in the regression models can be tested. The resulting significant three-way interaction can indicate the moderation effect of baseline rsFC on the association between changes in symptoms and biomarkers. With the n=40 completers (e.g., n=44 recruited with 10% attrition rate), if the association between changes in rsFC and HDRS-17 can be at least r=0.28 in both groups, the association with more than 80% power at the 5% significant level can be detected.

The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can also be used in parallel with ongoing studies with TMS. The targeting capability of the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can be examined by using it with TMS to improve its efficacy by using personalized FC maps. An exemplary use of rsFC-MRI for TMS targeting can be based upon recent advances in understanding of brain FC in relationship to depression. This can be based on the recent finding that one of the regions more consistently linked to the pathogenesis of TRD based upon both structural and functional imaging can be the sgACC (e.g., BA25). (See, e.g., Reference 14). In healthy individuals, sgACC activity can be positively correlated with dorsal regions of DLPFC (e.g., approximately BA9) but negatively correlated with more ventral regions (e.g., approximately BA46). Although sgACC cannot be reached by TMS, it can be known to have strong FC with DLPFC, including both correlated and anti-correlated regions. The TMS over the left DLPFC can have distributed effects on deeper limbic regions such as the sgACC. (See, e.g., References 15 and 16). However, studies designed to investigate this hypothesis have produced conflicting results. (See, e.g., References 17-22). Here, the region can be connected in a more dysfunctional way to sgACC can be the anti-correlated region of DLPFC (e.g., DLPFC_(neg), DLPF_(neg)) modified through a consideration of DLPFC_(neg) to visual cortex connectivity, and therefore that TMS specific to the modified DLPFC_(neg) region can be most effective. Alternatively, TMS can be applied to visual cortex, including dorsal, ventral, or MT+ parcellations.

The exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be based on and/or utilize the understanding that rsFC MRI can improve spatial specificity and efficacy of TMS. The exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, it can improve targeting in TMS, and expand its use not only in depression, but also for other conditions (e.g., OCD) where network-level targeting can be beneficial. In a recent ECT study, it was observed that, in TRD patients, rsFC between DLPFC_(neg) and sgACC, the exemplary biomarker, was reduced. (See, e.g., FIG. 1).

FIG. 1 shows the subgenual connectivity with the negative region of DLPFC, which can be based on a new biomarker for treatment response to ECT. Element 105 illustrates a SgACC connectivity map from 500 healthy subjects from the Human Connectome Project (“HCP”). Element 110 illustrates a baseline sgACC connectivity from non-responders. Element 115 illustrates a baseline sgACC connectivity from responders. A Change in sgACC connectivity from non-responders (post- vs. pre) is shown in element 120, which a negative region of DLPFC vales from non-responders (post- vs. pre) shown in element 130. Element 125 illustrates a change in sgACC connectivity from responders (post- vs. pre), with a negative region of DLPFC vales from responders (post- v. pre) shown in element 135. T-test baseline/change remitters vs. non-remitters can be *p=0.01, and **p=0.003, respectively. All sgACC connectivity maps are displayed over the left DLPFC. Shaded regions show surface vertices with negative correlation or positive correlation with the sgACC.

The exemplary biomarker may consider rsFC between DLPFCneg and visual regions, visual regions and DMN, and DLPFCneg and DMN, in addition to rsFC between DLPFCneg and sgACC, as well as connectivity within each of these regions. A reduction in the exemplary biomarker can predict ECT response (e.g., >90% accuracy) and can “normalize” following effective ECT. In addition, change in the exemplary biomarker can correlate with improvement, suggesting that it could be used to monitor treatment efficacy. Although both of the regions (e.g., sgACC, DLPFC) can be known to be involved in depression, only one subregion of DLPFC (e.g., DLPFC_(neg)) usefully contributes to the prediction whereas other regions do not. In addition, the predictive models can improve by incorporating visual cortex connectivity. The differential contribution was unexpected and (e.g., once confirmed in the ongoing project) could lead to an FDA-approvable procedure for targeting based on the individual brain FC pattern. (See, e.g., FIG. 2). This makes the exemplary biomarker a quantitative criterion on which the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can be built which, for the first time, can offer a brain circuit based measure for predicting efficacy of neuromodulations in general and ECT and TMS in particular.

FIG. 2 shows a target for personalized rTMS. The exemplary SgACC connectivity map from 500 healthy subjects is shown in element 205. The negative region of the DLPFC can be seen. A baseline sgACC connectivity with DLPFC for the subject with highest percentage change in depression after ECT is shown in element 210, which also shows individual targets. Element 215 shows an exemplary change in connectivity between negative region of DLPFC (e.g., hypothetical target) and sgACC after ECT. All sgACC connectivity maps are displayed over the left DLPFC. Shaded regions represent surface vertices with negative correlation or positive correlation with the sgACC. Additional TMS targets can include visual sensory regions (e.g. V1, early, dorsal, ventral, MT+).

Exemplary Prediction of ECT Response/Remission by rsFC Involving Visual Networks

The exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used for the evaluation using rsFC networks, including the visual cortex, to predict response and/or remission of depressive symptoms in TRD patients following ECT.

Exemplary Methods

Exemplary Participants.

Data were obtained from 18 TRD patients receiving ECT for clinical indications, with an age range of 18-65 and a mean of 51.7, who met DSM-IV criteria for a MDE according to the diagnostic assessment by the Structured Clinical Interview Patient Edition (“SCID-P”), with scores of 18 or greater (e.g., mean of 26.5) on the 24-Hamilton Depression Scale (e.g., HDRS-24). Patients with comorbid other Axis I or Axis II psychiatric disorders were excluded. All subjects were right-handed, and did not have severe medical conditions. Participants received a full course of right unilateral, frontal ECT. High resolution resting-state functional MRI (“rsfMRI”) was collected pre/post ECT, and used for rsFC analyses. The Hamilton rating scale for depression (e.g., HDRS-24) was used to assess effectiveness of ECT treatment.

Exemplary rsfMRI Acquisition.

Anatomical and functional imaging data from each subject were collected and processed using acquisition guidelines and processing pipelines provided by the Human Connectome Project (“HCP”). High-resolution functional imaging scans were completed using a GE Discovery MR750 3.0 Tesla full body MR system equipped with a 32-channel phased array head coil.

Functional images were acquired with a GE-EPI sequence (e.g., 2.5 mm isotopic, slice plane=transverse, TR=2500 ms, SENSE factor=2, TE=22 ms, matrix=96×96, slices=54, phase encode=A−>P). Images were transferred to a workstation with an HCP processing pipeline for analysis.

Exemplary rsFC Analyses.

Resulting structural and functional data were aligned in volume space to the MNI152 atlas, and in surface space to the HCP-generated Conte69 surface atlas. Resting-State data files underwent removal by regression of (i) CSF, (ii) white matter, (iii) whole brain, and (iv) movement parameters (e.g., 6 translation/rotation parameters+quadratic combinations of the 6 parameters+derivatives of these 12 parameters). To avoid slice-time correction affecting the movement parameters, movement parameters were derived from the data before HCP processing. Frames with FD>0.2 mm and/or DVARS with >(75percentile)+(1.5)×(interquartile range) (fsl defaults) were then censored and interpolated, and a bandpass filter with a low cutoff of about 0.0005 Hz and high cutoff of about 0.2 Hz was applied. Subsequent analyses only used the non-censored frames (e.g., they did not include the interpolated frames).

Exemplary rsFC Analyses and Regions of Interest (“ROIs”).

The sgACC ROI was constructed by placing an 8 mm radius sphere at MNI coordinates (e.g., 6, 16, −10). The sgACC ROI was used as a seed on an independent cohort of 500 healthy subjects from the HCP. The entire sgACC rsFC map was generated across 500 healthy subjects from the HCP dataset, which was used as a seed on the same sample. The DLPFC was omitted from the sgACC map to avoid biasing results toward increased sgACC-DLPFC connectivity. The exemplary sgACC-based seed map incorporated elements of default and limbic networks and ventral-attention networks.

The sgACC-based map was used as a seed in the same sample of healthy subjects to locate regions with the highest negative correlation with the DLPFC. These negative areas within the DLPFC were used to create our DLPFCneg masks. The exemplary sgACC-based seed map was applied to the sample of 18 TRD patients undergoing ECT. DLPFCneg masks were used to extract the mean average correlation with the sgACC.

Regional analyses were performed using a multi-modal parcellation procedure of the human cerebral cortex. (See, e.g., Reference 24). Specific analyses investigated predictive utility of rsFC between DLPFC and (i) sgACC, (ii) default mode network (“DMN”) and (iii) visual cortex, as well as rsFC within each of these networks.

Exemplary Statistical Analyses.

Correlational analyses were performed to examine the degree to which rsFC within specific networks predicted degree of change in HDRS score both pre and post ECT. Categorical analyses were used to evaluate the degree to which rsFC measures could be used by the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium to predict the degree to which a given individual would be a responder to ECT, and the degree to which they achieved full symptom remission. To determine prediction and neural mechanism of response, treatment response was defined as 50% or more reduction in symptoms, and remission was defined as final HAM-D score<7.

Specific ROIs included in, for example, the analysis consistent of DLPFC areas 46 and P9-46v, sgACC area 25, DMN areas a24 and s32, and visual areas MT+, V1, early visual, ventral and dorsal regions. For each main predictor, or underlying mechanism, in the exemplary regression models, AUC of the ROC curve with a 95% confidence interval was computed. All statistics were two-tailed, with preset alpha level for significance of p<0.05.

Exemplary Results.

Using the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a significant correlation was observed between DLPFC area 46 and both sgACC (e.g., r=0.54, p=0.02) and DMN area a24 (e.g., r=0.58, p=0.01), and between DLPFC area p9-46v and DMN area a24 (e.g., r=0.52, p=0.03). However, exemplary prediction models based upon these connections alone, or in combination, did not fully predict ECT response. (See, e.g., Table 1, Models 1-3). A significant correlation was also observed between DLPFC area 24 to DMN area s32 rsFC and clinical response (e.g., r=0.69, p=0.002), but was only partially predictive of recovery. (See, e.g., Table 1, Model 4).

When rsFC was assessed between DLPFC and visual regions using the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, as well as within visual regions, unexpected results were obtained. When rsFC between DLPFC p9-46v and visual MT+ was used as a predictor, the degree of correlation (e.g., r=0.61, p=0.007) and predictive value (see, e.g., Table 1, Model 5) were as good, or better, than those for traditionally applied networks involving sgACC or DMN.

Connectivity within the visual ventral network also was highly predictive. (See, e.g., Table 1, Model 6). Further, as opposed to combination models involving DLPFC and both sgACC and DMN (see, e.g., Table 1, Model 2) that were only partially predictive, exemplary models involving DLPFC, DMN and visual cortex (e.g., the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium) were fully predictive of response. These included exemplary models that included connectivity within the visual ventral stream combined with DMN (see, e.g., Table 1, Models 7 and 8), as well as exemplary models that involve only DLPFC and visual regions, without involvement of either DMN or sgACC (See, e.g., Table 1, Model 9) or exemplary models that involve only visual regions (See, e.g., Table 1, Model 10-11). FIGS. 3A-3C show exemplary graphs of exemplary models 7-9. As shown therein, exemplary Models 8, 9 and 10, FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, respectively, illustrate the sensitivity versus specificity for M1: intra-DMN (e.g., element 305) and M2: with intra-visual (e.g., element 310). Other visual regions, including dorsal (see, e.g., Table 1, Model 10) and MT+ (see, e.g., Table 1, Model 11) were also unexpectedly predictive of response/remission following ECT.

As detailed above, the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can be used to predict patient response to ECT. For example, visual connectivity can be used by itself to predict response to ECT as well as models involving sgACC and DMN. Additionally, a 100% predictivity can be obtained from simultaneous models that can use DLPFC and visual cortex, even without the use of either sgACC or DMN. Thus, the exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, can utilize the connectivity within visual cortical regions, including but not limited to, (i) ventral, (ii) dorsal and (iii) MT+ regions in the prediction of ECT response. Therefore, the exemplary use of visual connectivity in combination with connectivity involving other brain networks such as DMN, can be beneficial.

Although the description herein discusses utilizing a particular parcellation procedure (see, e.g., Reference 24), it should be understood that other exemplary parcellation procedures can be used, and are in the scope of the present disclosure. (See, e.g., Reference 23).

Exemplary Model

Table 2 compares the exemplary models used by the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium and previously-used models. For example, all models can be based on prediction of a 50% improvement in the clinical 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (“HDRS-17”). This can be a commonly used criterion of treatment response. Results can be shown based on a logistic regression analysis across 10 subjects. R² and adj R² values can be based on logistic regression and illustrate how strongly the connectivity measures predict response. The exemplary p-values can be the statistical probabilities associated with the R² values. The AUC can be a measure of how well the model distinguishes responders and non-responders, with 1 representing perfect separation.

TABLE 2 Model Model components R²/Adj. R² p-value AUC² 1 DLPFC(combined pos/neg regions)  0.0053/−0.1945 0.82 0.50 to sgACC connectivity Visual covariates not included 2 DLPFC (combined pos/neg regions) 1.00/0.20 0.04 1 to sgACC Visual covariates included 3 DLPFC (combined pos/neg 1.00/0.20 0.04 1 regions)_Visual connectivity Visual covariates included 4 DLPFC (negative region only) - 0.34/0.15 0.07 0.94 sgACC No covariates 5 DLPFC (negative region only) - 1.00/0.20 0.04 1 sgACC Visual covariates included ¹ Visual covariates include: visual to DMN, visual to frontoparietal & DMN to frontoparietal ²AUC: Area under curve, logistic regression model.

Exemplary Model 1 described in Table 2 is the exemplary default model previously used (see, e.g., Reference 12) in which connectivity between DLPFC and sgACC was considered. However, Model 1 cannot accurately predict a patient's response to ECT. Exemplary Model 2 described in Table 2 can examine FC involving visual regions. With exemplary these regions included, Exemplary Model 2 can increase the prediction of treatment response. This was unexpected. Exemplary Model 3 described in Table 2 can include the visual covariates, which can achieve superior results even without the inclusion of DLPFC-sgACC. This can also be unexpected, and can suggest that DLPFC—visual connections can be more important than DLPFC to sgACC (e.g., contrary to prior models). Exemplary Model 4 described in Table 2 can utilize a different definition of DLPFC in which only the subregion of DLPFC that can be negatively coupled to sgACC can be considered (e.g., “anticorrelated region” or “DLPFC_(neg)”). This exemplary region, while previously described as being useful for predicting target location for TMS (see, e.g., Reference 13), has not been used as a correlate for ECT. Exemplary Model 5 described in Table 2 illustrates results achieved by including visual covariates to Exemplary Model 4, which can lead to an increase in the prediction rate. As provided in exemplary Models 2-5, this exemplary method can predict ECT response by considering connectivity between visual regions and DLPFC in addition to (e.g., or instead of) DLPFC to sgACC. The DLPFC_(neg) and can also be used to increase the prediction rate. An exemplary approach can be to include the visual covariates and, in addition, to include only the DLPFC_(neg). This can be used in the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible to predict ECT response and calculate TMS targets.

Exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium for determining an effect(s) of a convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) on a patient(s) can be provided, which can include, for example, receiving first information related to a visual network of a brain of the patient(s), receiving second information related to a default mode network (“DMN”) of the brain of the patient(s), and determining the effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) based on a relationship between the first information and the second information. The convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) can be an electroconvulsive therapy or a magnetic seizure therapy. The effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) can be determined by analyzing a connectivity between the visual network and a region of a dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) that can be anti-correlated to the DMN. The effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) can be determined by analyzing a connectivity between the visual network and regions of the DMN.

In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) can be determined by analyzing a connectivity between the visual network and a connectivity within the DMN. The connectivity can be a functional connectivity or an anatomical connectivity. The connectivity can be based on white matter tracts in the visual network or the DMN. The connectivity can be a diffusion tensor imaging procedure. Third information related to a dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (“DLPFC”) of the brain can be received, and the effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) can be determined based on a further relationship between the first information and the third information. The DLPFC can be coupled to the DMN. The DLPFC can be negatively coupled to the DMN. The effect(s) can be determined based on a visual covariate(s). The effect(s) can include a response of the patient(s) to the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies). The response can be a positive response.

In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information or the second information can be received from a magnetic resonance imaging (“MM”) apparatus, which can be a functional MRI apparatus. Third information can be generated based on the relationship between the first information and the second information, and the effect(s) can be determined by comparing the third information to fourth information that can be related to a previous determination of the effect(s) on a plurality of further brains of a plurality of further patients.

Additionally, exemplary system, method, and/or computer-assessable medium can be provided for determining an effect(s) of a convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) on a patient(s). For example, it is possible to receiver first information related to a visual network of a brain of the patient(s), receive second information related to a subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) or a default mode network (DMN) of the brain of the patient(s), and determine the effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) based on (i) a relationship between the first information and the second information, and (ii) a visual covariate(s).

Further, exemplary system, method, and computer-accessible medium can be provided for determining an effect(s) of a convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) on a patient(s). For example, it is possible to receive first information related to a visual network of a brain of the patient(s), receive second information related to a default mode network (“DMN”) of the brain of the patient(s), and determine the effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) based on a connectivity between the visual network and a connectivity within the DMN.

Additionally, exemplary system, method, and computer-assessable medium can be provided for determining an effect(s) of a convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) on a patient(s). For example, it is possible to receive first information related to a visual network of a brain of the patient(s), receive second information related to a default mode network (DMN) of the brain of the patient(s), and determine the effect(s) of the convulsive stimulation therapy(ies) by determining a connectivity between the visual network and a connectivity within the DMN.

FIG. 4A shows an exemplary flow diagram of an exemplary method 400 for determining an effect of a convulsive stimulation therapy on a patient according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, at procedure 405, first information related to a visual network of a brain of the patient can be received. At procedure 410, second information related to a subgenual ACC network of the brain of the patient can be received. At procedure 415, the effect of the convulsive stimulation therapy can be determined based on a relationship between the first information and the second information

FIG. 4B shows a further exemplary flow diagram of a further exemplary method 450 for determining an effect of a convulsive stimulation therapy on a patient according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, at procedure 455, first information related to a visual network of a brain of the patient can be received. At procedure 460, second information related to a subgenual ACC network of the brain of the patient can be received. At procedure 465, third information related to a DLPFC of the brain can be received, and at procedure 470, the effect of the convulsive stimulation therapy can be determined based on a relationship between (i) the first information and the second information and (ii) the first information and the third information. Alternatively, e.g., after procedure 460, third information can be generated based on a relationship between the first information and the second information at procedure 475. Then, at procedure 480, the effect of the convulsive the stimulation therapy can be determined based on a relationship between the first information and the third information.

Exemplary Parcel Guided Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

rsFC changes were evaluated pre/post ECT (see, e.g., Reference 30), in order to identify specific rTMS targets within L-DLPFC. Additionally, a pre-specified surface-based multimodal parcellation procedure was applied that divided DLPFC into 13 distinct subregions (“parcels”) in order to permit consistent identification across individuals. (See e.g., images shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B). Correlation of ECT response to changes in rsFC was observed for two specific DLPFC parcels (e.g., 46 and p9-46v). Further, brain regions considered to be involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, suicidality, Schizophrenia, autism, etc.) including the anterior default mode network (e.g., aDMN, s32) and ventral visual region (“VIS(ventral)) was also observed.

The effects of excitatory (e.g., 10 Hz) “parcel guided” rTMS (“pgTMS”) targeted a particular region depending on the psychiatric disorder being treated (e.g., parcel DLPFC(46), parcel p9-46v, pSTS, TPOJ, MT, A1, LBelt or STV) using individualized MM, relative to effects of standard “5-cm rule” rTMS (“sdTMS”) were evaluated. In addition to symptoms, rsFC changes induced by pgTMS vs. sdTMS were evaluated, relative to patterns of change previously observed pre/post ECT. For example, parcels pSTS, TPOJ or MT can be used for various psychiatric conditions (e.g., schizophrenia and autism). Parcels A1, LBelt or STV can also be used for various psychiatric conditions (e.g., auditory or visual hallucinations, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder).

Exemplary Participants:

HDRS and rsfMRI scans were obtained pre/post rTMS in a group of 10 TRD subjects who were non-responders to sdTMS, and who received pgTMS targeted at parcel 46. Both the magnitude of change and rsFC correlates were compared relative to a group of 22 rTMS-naive TRD subjects given sdTMS. (See e.g., images shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B). All subjects met DSM-IV criteria for a MDE according to the diagnostic assessment by the SCID-P.

FIG. 8A shows an exemplary image illustrating baseline s32 rsFC map from sdTMS and FIG. 8B shows an exemplary image illustrating baseline s32 rsFC map from pgTMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate exemplary differences in target location by plotting MNI coordinates (e.g., −41, 16, 54) of the average 5-cm rule (see e.g., FIG. 8A) versus vertices within the DLPFC(46) that showed greatest anti-correlation to s32 (see e.g., FIG. 8B). Element 805 represents surface vertices with negative correlation with s32, and element 810 represents surface vertices with positive correlation with s32.

The 10 subjects studied pre-post pgTMS were drawn from a pool of clinical patients at different locations who did not adequately respond to standard ongoing treatments. All subjects were right-handed and without severe medical conditions.

Exemplary Treatment:

All treatments were open label and administered using a NeuroStar Therapy System. sdTMS used standard “5-cm rule” targeting. pgTMS stimulation locations were determined using a Brainsight neuronavigation systems. All patients completed 36 sessions, with 5×/week for 6 weeks, followed by 3 weeks taper off. TMS was administered at 120% of motor threshold at a frequency of 10 Hz; for a total of 3,000 pulses per session. After completion of TMS treatments patients received a second rsfMRI scanning followed by the HDRS-24.

Exemplary MRI Acquisition:

Anatomical images and rsfMRI were collected using a GE Discovery MR750 3.0 Tesla full body MRI. DLPFC, DMN and VIS regions, were operationalized respectively as parcels 46, s32 and the VIS(ventral) region. (See, e.g., Reference 31). Target location for pgTMS was determined using vertices within DLPFC(46) that showed greatest anti-correlation to s32. (See e.g., image shown in FIG. 8B).

Exemplary Statistics:

Pre-planned analyses focused on mixed effect regression models to test whether change in rsFC pre/post both sdTMS and pgTMS differs by treatment group. An association between change in HDRS and that of each rsFC was measured using a linear regression. Group difference in the association was tested by adding the interaction term between change in rsFC and treatment group. Fisher's z transform was applied to individual rsFC maps before group level analyses; corrected p-values using FDR (see, e.g., Reference 32) controlled multiple comparison correction were computed.

Exemplary Results

Exemplary Symptoms:

Of the 10 patients treated with pgTMS following non-response to sdTMS, all (100%) showed a significant response, with 50% showing full remission. By contrast, 46% of patients treated with sdTMS (e.g., 10 of 22) showed a significant response, with 18% remission. The difference in mean symptoms change (e.g., 64±15% vs. 28±27%, t=−3.99, p<0.001) and response rate (e.g., χ²=6.56, p=0.004) between groups was statistically reliable. (See e.g., graph shown in FIG. 5A).

FIG. 5A shows an exemplary graph illustrating the difference in response rate between groups (e.g., sdTMS vs. pgTMS) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B shows brain images of pgTMS vs. sdTMS of the parcellation-based connectome between left DLPFC(46) (e.g., lateral view) used as seed and left DMN(s32) (e.g., medial view), identified by arrows 505. Element 510 shows parcels with increased negative correlation with left DLPFC(46) in pgTMS vs. sdTMS and element 515 shows increased positive correlation with left DLPFC(46) in pgTMS vs. sdTMS. FIG. 5C shows an exemplary graph illustrating a rsFC change difference between left DLPFC(46) and left DMN(s32) by group, and of each group, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5D shows an exemplary graph illustrating a correlation with group difference in the association between change in HDRS and change in rsFC for sdTMS (e.g., shown by element 520) and pgTMS (e.g., shown by element 525) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A shows set of exemplary brain images illustrating the contrast pgTMS versus sdTMS of the parcellation-based connectome between left DMN(s32) (medial view) used as seed (e.g., shown by arrow 605) and bilateral VIS(ventral) (e.g., lateral and medial views). Parcels within the ventral regions are indicated by element 610. Parcels with increased negative correlation with left DMN(s32) in pgTMS vs. sdTMS are indicated by element 615 and parcels with increased positive correlation with left DMN(s32) in pgTMS vs. sdTMS are indicated by element 620.

FIG. 6B shows an exemplary graph illustrating rsFC change difference between left DMN(s32) and bilateral VIS(ventral) by group, and of each group, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6C shows an exemplary graph illustrating a correlation with group difference in the association between change in HDRS and change in rsFC for sdTMS (e.g., shown by element 625) and pgTMS (e.g., shown by element 630). FIG. 6D shows an exemplary diagram of the rsFC structure after sdTMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6E shows an exemplary diagram of the rsFC structure after pgTMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6F shows an exemplary diagram of the rsFC structure after ECT according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 6D-6F, straight lines 630 and 635 show significant connections, with positive (+) rsFC correlation (e.g., shown by element 630) or negative (−) rsFC correlation (e.g., shown by element 635); dotted lines 640 show absence of significant connections.

Exemplary rsFC:

No baseline differences in rsFC were found between the groups. (See e.g., Table 4 below). Connectivity between DLPFC(46) and DMN(s32) (see e.g., FIG. 5B), or between DMN(s32) and VIS (see e.g., FIG. 6A) differed significantly over time between groups in post-pre changes (see e.g., FIGS. 5C and 6B; and Table 5 below). There were also differences in connectivity by group (see e.g., Table 4). Increased negative correlation between DLPFC(46) and DMN(s32) (see e.g., FIG. 5C) was found, and between DMN(s32) and VIS(ventral) (see e.g., FIG. 6B), following sdTMS.

By contrast, increased positive correlation between DLPFC(46) and DMN(s32) (see e.g., FIG. 5C) and between DMN(s32) and VIS(ventral) (see e.g., FIG. 6B) followed pgTMS. The correlation between change in depression scores (“HDRS”) and rsFC also differed by group (see e.g., Table 6.1 below). Specifically, individuals in the sdTMS group showed greater negative connectivity associated with improvement in depression scores (see e.g., FIGS. 5D and 6A; and Table 6.2 below), with a pattern similar to that previously observed pre/post ECT treatment (see e.g., FIGS. 6E and 6G), while the opposite pattern was found in the pgTMS (see e.g., FIG. 6F).

TABLE 3 Baseline treatment group difference in the rsFC measures. sdTMS pgTMS t p corrected.p 46 to s32 Mean 0.0437 −0.0541 −2.273 0.030 0.090 (SD) (0.0917) (0.151) 46 to ventral Mean 0.123 0.132 0.179 0.845 0.845 (SD) (0.138) (0.0976) s32 to ventral Mean 0.0960 0.0387 −1.167 0.252 0.378 (SD) (0.141) (0.0953)

TABLE 4 LSMEANS to test post-pre change by group. sig.cor- group estimate SE df t.ratio p.value sig corrected.p rected 46 to s32 sdTMS −0.076 0.026 34.257 −2.915 0.006 ** 0.024 * 46 to s32 pgTMS 0.103 0.039 34 257 2.661 0.012 * 0.024 * 46 to sdTMS 0.040 0.033 34.626 1.189 0.243 0.284 ventral 46 to pgTMS 0.054 0.049 34.626 1.088 0.284 0.284 ventral s32 to sdTMS −0.070 0.025 34.183 −2.816 0.008 ** 0.024 * ventral s32 to pgTMS 0.080 0.037 34.183 2.171 0.037 * 0.055 ventral

TABLE 5 Group x Time interaction results to test rsFC change difference by group. Std . . . Pr . . . sig.cor- Estimate Error df t.value t . . . sig corrected.p rected 46 to s32 0.180 0.047 33.972 3.836 0.001 *** 0.002 ** 46 to 0.014 0.059 34.474 0.238 0.814 0.814 ventral s32 to 0.150 0.044 33.374 3.374 0.002 ** 0.003 ** ventral

TABLE 6.1 Test whether association between change in HDRS and change in rsFC differ by group. Std . . . Pr . . . sig.cor- Estimate Error t.value t . . . sig corrected.p rected 158.519 66.021 2.401 0.023 * 0.035 * 46 to 74.335 65.455 1.136 0.266 0.266 ventral s32 to 254.373 65.121 3.906 0.001 *** 0.002 ** ventral

TABLE 6.2 Test association between change in HDRS and change in rsFC by group. sig.cor- group estimate SE t.ratio p.value sig corrected.p rected 46 to s32 sdTMS −109.317 46.424 −2.355 0.026 * 0.077 46 to s32 pgTMS 49.202 46.942 1.048 0.304 0.428 46 to sdTMS −28.242 31.649 −0.892 0.380 0.428 ventral 46 to pgTMS 46.092 57.295 0.804 0.428 0.428 ventral s32 to sdTMS −196.639 53.365 −3.685 0.001 *** 0.006 ** ventral s32 to pgTMS 57.734 37.321 1.547 0.133 0.266 ventral

Similar exemplary results were obtained in both groups for other VIS regions including dorsal, MTC and early. Moreover, results remained significant following multiple comparison correction.

Exemplary Relative location: For all sdTMS subjects, the likely target location was approximated by plotting the MNI coordinates −41, 16, 54 of the average 5-cm rule (see, e.g., Reference 9) using an exemplary parcellation procedure (e.g., a Glasser parcellation procedure). (See, e.g., Reference 34). Targets mapped primarily to area 8Av (see e.g., image shown in FIG. 8A), which are known to be part of the DMN. Responders and non-responders to sdTMS were not notably different in estimated target location. For pgTMS subjects, targets fell within the most anterior/ventral region of DLPFC(46) (see e.g., image shown in FIG. 8B); known to be part of the fronto-parietal network.

Exemplary Supplemental Methods

Exemplary Supplemental Participants:

Participants were 32 patients with TRD receiving standard TMS at Contemporary Care Clinic in Greenwich, Conn. (e.g., ages 18-60), who met DSM-IV criteria for a MDE according to the diagnostic assessment by the SCID-P, with scores of 18 or greater (e.g., mean=24.5, SD=5.9) on the HDRS-24. Patients with comorbid other Axis I or Axis II psychiatric disorders were excluded. All subjects were right-handed and without severe medical conditions.

Exemplary Supplemental Procedure:

Study procedures occurred over 9 weeks. The first 6 weeks began with functional MRI scanning followed by HDRS, 24 items. One week after the fMRI, patients started their standard (e.g., group sdTMS) or rsFC (e.g., group pgTMS) treatments. All patients completed 36 sessions, with 5tx/week for 6 weeks, followed by 3 weeks taper off. After completion of TMS treatments patients received a second functional MRI scanning followed by the HDRS-24. Individual DMN(left s32) rsFC maps from patients undergoing pgTMS were computed at baseline, vertices within DLPFC(left 46) that showed greatest anti-correlation with DMN(left s32) were selected as personal targets (e.g., peak detection using wb_command-cifti-extrema). Patients undergoing sdTMS were targeted following the 5-cm rule. Parcellation-based connectomes were generated for each individual pre/post TMS treatments. Patients were classified as responders to TMS with at least 25% decrease in HDRS-24 scores from baseline, or as remitters with HDRS post-score of 8 or lower.

Exemplary Supplemental TMS Treatments:

Using the NeuroStar Therapy System, the subject's motor threshold (“MT”) was determined and the coil was placed over the left DLPFC. A suitable procedure of coil positioning was used to locate the left DLPFC at 5-cm anterior to the “hand motor hotspot” along the curvature of the scalp. An alternate stimulation site within the DLPFC in each patient was used to personalize treatments based on their rsFC MRI. A neuronavigation device was used to determine the location of the coil on the subject's head. While holding the coil on the head, the neuronavigation provided an indication for which direction to move the coil to quickly and accurately place the coil over the target. Once placed, the exemplary system can monitor the coil's activity and can automatically record the coil's position and orientation with respect to target for quality assurance (e.g., to determine the correct placement and/or to ensure that the treatment is accurately applied to the target area). All patients received stimulation over the left DLPFC at 120% of the MT at a frequency of 10 Hz; for a total of 3,000 pulses per session. A subset of sdTMS patients also received low frequency (e.g., 1 Hz) stimulation to right DLPFC following the 5-cm rule.

Exemplary Supplemental fMRI Data Acquisition and Processing:

High resolution anatomical images and resting-state functional MRI were collected pre/post TMS. Post study imaging was performed approximately 48-72 hours after the last treatment to facilitate sufficient time for recovery from treatment. Anatomical and functional imaging data from each subject were collected and processed using acquisition guidelines and processing pipelines provided by the HCP, an atlas was utilized in connection with the HCP to determine the target location. High-resolution functional imaging scans were completed at the MM facility at NYSPI using a GE Discovery MR750 3.0 Tesla full body MR system equipped with a 32-channel phased array head coil.

Subjects were placed in the scanner with head cushioning to restrict head movement. Following localizer scans (e.g., 5 minutes), distortion correction scans (e.g., BO field map), a pair of T1-weighted images, and T2-weighted were acquired over 25 minutes, followed by three 30-minute resting state fMRI scan. Total scan time was 55 min. Sessions were conducted prior to, and following, completion of the course of TMS. T1-weighted images acquired for anatomical co-registration were transverse T1-weighted BRAVO sequence with the following acquisition parameters: 3D sagittal, 0.8 mm isotropic, matrix size=300×300, slices=220, TR=7.856 ms, TE=3.108 ms, flip angle=12°, TI=450 ms and CUBE T2-weighted image was acquired with these parameters; 3D sagittal, 0.8 mm isotropic, matrix=320×320, # of slices=220, TR=2500 ms, TE=95.708 ms, flip angle=90°.

Functional images were acquired with a GE-EPI sequence (e.g., 2 mm isotopic, slice plane=transverse, MUX=6, TR=850 ms, TE=25 ms, matrix=96×96, slices=11, phase encode=A−>P); an instruction was given to all patients before the functional MRI sequence to have their eyes opened. Images were transferred to a workstation with an HCP processing pipeline version 4 installed. The pipeline implements standard automated structural and fMRI processing (e.g., movement correction, atlas realignment, creation of cortical surface model etc.) with FSL 6, FreeSurfer v5.3.0-HCP, and Connectome Workbench v1.3.2, and two additional procedures that improve upon standard preprocessing: (i) utilized top-ups sequences to “undistort” GE-EPI images and (ii) creation of a “gray-ordinate” CIFTI-format files that only contained data from cortical and subcortical gray matter. fMRI data was further processed (e.g., after functional preprocessing was complete) using the FMRIB group's ICA-based Xnoiseifer—FIX. This processing regresses out motion time series and artifact ICA components (e.g., an ICA run using Melodic and components classified using FIX). The order of pipelines included PreFreeSurfer, FreeSurfer, PostFreeSurfer (e.g., using MSMSulc), fMRIVolume, fMRISurface, MR ICA+FIX, MSMAll (e.g., MSM Surface Registration) and DedriftAndResample (e.g., apply MSMAll) before resting state analysis.

Exemplary Supplemental Definition of ROIs:

ROIs for these analyses were defined using the multi-modal parcellation of human cortex. Areas within the left DMN (e.g., s32) and left DLPFC (46) were selected following results on predictive models of ECT response. The VIS network has been divided into primary VIS early (e.g., V1-V4), MTC, dorsal and ventral regions. The ventral VIS region was initially focused on, based on previous exemplary results for ECT. The analyses on VIS regions was extended to also cover early and the above-mentioned VIS association regions, grouped into separate subsystems: early, MTC and dorsal.

Exemplary Supplemental rsFC Analyses:

Using the HCP's multi-modal parcellation, the parcellation-based connectome was generated for each individual using Connectome Workbench v1.3.2 (e.g., using wb_command-cifti-parcellate and wb_command-cifti-correlation). Correlation values from left DLPFC(46) and left DMN(s32), and from left DLPFC(46) or left DMN(s32) and left/right VIS regions were extracted from each individual parcellation-based connectome. Connectivity measures between left 46 or left s32 and the left/right VIS parcels were previously averaged within each VIS region (e.g., early, MTC, dorsal and ventral) and across hemispheres. Analyses focused on whether rsFC change and the association with change in HDRS differed by group.

Fisher's z transform was applied to individual parcellation-based connectome before group level analyses; uncorrected p-values were reported as only 3 comparisons were made; corrected p-values using FDR controlled multiple comparison correction were computed to see whether any of the uncorrected p-values survived.

Exemplary Supplemental Statistics:

Before running the analysis, a determination was made as to whether there can be any difference in HDRS and rsFC measures between the two treatment group to check potential confounding effects of the baseline status. Linear regression was conducted followed by multiple comparison correction controlling for false discovery rate (“FDR”).

To test whether change in rsFC differs by treatment group, mixed effect regression models were conducted with rsFC measures as dependent variable, time (two levels: pre, post treatment), group (two levels: sdTMS, pgTMS), and time by group interaction as fixed effects. Within-subject correlation was accounted by adding random intercept. The significant time by group interactions with multiple comparison corrected p-values less than 5% was considered as significant group difference. Post-hoc least-squared means of the post-pre change of each group were computed to see actual directions of each measures.

The association between change in HDRS and that of each rsFC measure was tested using linear regression with change in HDRS as a dependent variable, change in rsFC and group as independent variable. Group difference in the association was tested by adding the interaction term between change in rsFC and treatment group.

Changes in rsFC scores greater than 0.4 were considered as outliers, although there is no evidence that these values are illegitimate. This was part of sensitivity analysis to make sure the findings were not driven by some outliers.

Exemplary Supplemental Results

Connectivity between DMN(s32) and VIS(early) (t=3.199, p===0.003), VIS(MTC) (t=2.943, p=0.006) or VIS(dorsal) (t=2.937, p=0.006) differed significantly over time between groups in post-pre changes. There were also differences in DMN(s32) connectivity by group; i.e., VIS(early) (sdTMS: t=−3.013, p=0.005; pgTMS: t=1.827, p=0.076), VIS(MTC) (sdTMS: t=−2.880, p=0.007; pgTMS: t=1.608, p=0.117) or VIS(dorsal)) (sdTMS: t=−3.076, p=0.004; pgTMS: t=1.468, p=0.151). As with VIS(ventral), increased negative correlation between DMN(s32) and VIS(early), VIS(MTC) or VIS(dorsal) followed sdTMS vs. pgTMS.

The correlation between change in depression scores (HDRS) and rsFC also differed by group; DMN(s32) and VIS(early) (t=2.622, p=0.014), VIS(MTC) (t=2.909, p=0.007) or VIS(dorsal) (t=2.471, p=0.020). Specifically, individuals in the sdTMS group showed greater negative connectivity associated with improvement in depression scores, while the opposite pattern was found in the pgTMS. Results stayed very similarly (see e.g., Tables 7.1-7.4 below) after potential outliers were removed, and still significant after controlling for multiple comparison correction.

TABLE 7.1 Group x Time interaction after outlier removed. Std . . . Pr . . . sig.cor- Estimate Error df t.value t . . . sig corrected.p rected 46 to s32 0.138 0.041 32.742 3.345 0.002 ** 0.006 ** 46 to 0.035 0.053 33.511 0.654 0 517 0.517 ventral s32 to 0.105 0.036 32.818 2.907 0.006 ** 0.010 ** ventral

TABLE 7.2 LSMEANS to test post-pre change by group after outlier removed. sig.cor- group estimate SE df t.ratio p.value sig corrected.p rected 46 to s32 sdTMS −0.076 0.022 33.130 −3.425 0.002 ** 0.005 ** 46 to s32 pgTMS 0.062 0.035 33.130 1.780 0.084 0.168 46 to sdTMS 0.019 0.030 33.458 0.626 0.535 0.535 ventral 46 to pgTMS 0.054 0.044 33.458 1.227 0.228 0.312 ventral s32 to sdTMS −0.070 0.019 33.075 −3.603 0.001 ** 0.005 ** ventral s32 to pgTMS 0.035 0.030 33.075 1.147 0.260 0.312 ventral

TABLE 7.3 Test whether association between change in HDRS and change in rsFC differ by group after outlier removed. Std . . . Pr . . . sig.cor- Estimate Error t.value t . . . sig corrected.p rected 46 to s32 142.001 93.913 1.512 0.142 0.158 46 to 99.646 68.577 1.453 0.158 0.158 ventral s32 to 262.504 82.685 3.175 0.004 ** 0.011 * ventral

TABLE 7.4 Test association between change in HDRS and change in rsFC by group after outlier removed. sig.cor- group estimate SE t.ratio p.value sig corrected.p rected 46 to s32 sdTMS −109.317 47.221 −2.315 0.028 * 0.085 46 to s32 pgTMS 49.202 46.942 1.048 0.304 0.364 46 to sdTMS −53.554 38.228 −1.401 0.173 0.259 ventral 46 to pgTMS 46.092 57.295 0.804 0.428 0.428 ventral s32 to sdTMS −196.639 54.317 −3.620 0.001 ** 0.007 ** ventral s32 to pgTMS 57.734 37.321 1.547 0.133 0.259 ventral

Exemplary Discussion

Limitations of the “5-cm rule” for guiding sdTMS can be well understood. (See, e.g., Reference 29). Nevertheless, no alternative targeting strategies have attracted widespread use. Here surface-based multimodal parcellation of cortex, as well as previous findings of pre/post changes in rsFC following successful ECT were used to refine targeting for rTMS in depression. Significant improvement following pgTMS was observed in individuals who were non-responsive to sdTMS. Moreover, opposite patterns of rsFC change following pgTMS vs. sdTMS was observed, reinforcing the importance of precise target localization for rTMS stimulation.

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary SgACC rsFC map used to identify correlated DLPFCpos according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7B shows an exemplary SgACC rsFC map used to identify anticorrelated DLPFCneg according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Element 705 illustrates surface vertices with negative correlation with the sgACC and element 710 illustrates surface vertices with positive correlation with the sgACC. DLPFC(46) falls broadly within a region that can be anti-correlated with sgACC. (See e.g., FIG. 7B). The exemplary findings, therefore, can be broadly consistent with a large body of work suggesting that optimal targets for rTMS fall broadly within sgACC “anticorrelated” region of L-DLPFC. (See, e.g., References 33 and 35). Nevertheless, operationalizing this approach using personalized rsFC measures has proven challenging, in part because of long acquisition times needed to get stable, single-subject rsFC solutions. (See, e.g., References 27 and 36-38).

A surface-based parcellation procedure can provide superior results vs. sdTMS. In a recent exemplary ECT study, greater connectivity changes was observed in a circuit involving L-DLPFC(46), s32 and VIS cortex than between L-DLPFC(46) and sgACC(25), indicating greater importance of these connections vs. the more traditionally studied connections to sgACC. The pre/post results further support the importance of these connections.

All subjects examined first received the FDA-approved “5-cm rule” treatment (“sdTMS”) before being entered into experimental treatment. In the exemplary group of 10 subjects who did not respond to sdTMS, all subjects who received pgTMS responded to treatment as defined based on >25% reduction in symptoms, and 50% (5/10) obtained remission. Both mean symptom change and % of subjects showing treatment response were significantly greater for pgTMS than for a parallel group of subjects who received sdTMS for the first time, as well as those expected from rTMS meta-analyses. (See, e.g., Reference 39).

In addition to symptom changes, rsFC changes were also observed within the pre-defined DLPFC, DMN and VIS circuit, suggesting objective physiological effects. Additionally, an opposite pattern of rsFC change was observed in the sdTMS and pgTMS groups. sdTMS produced changes similar to those observed pre/post ECT, albeit weaker, indicating a convergent mechanism of effect. By contrast, pgTMS produced an opposite pattern of change.

Interactions between DLPFC(46), DMN(s32) and VIS(ventral) can be beneficial for normal goal-directed VIS activity (see, e.g., Reference 40), and can be consistent with spatio-temporal dynamics of interactions between emotional stimulus and task-driven attention. (See, e.g., References 41 and 42). In particular, the simultaneous increase in DLPFC-DMN and DMN-VIS connectivity in the pgTMS group can underlie the mechanism by which frontal structures regulate attention and emotion influences on VIS cortex. A mechanistic explanation of this interaction can be that both emotional salience feedback from the DMN and top-down signaling from DLPFC regions synergistically increase processing in the VIS cortex. (See, e.g., Reference 41). Long-range cortico-cortical projections can act through local microcircuits to exert spatially specific top-down modulation of sensory processing. (See, e.g., Reference 43). Restoration of these small local circuits can be beneficial for the development of long-range cortico-cortical projections to exert specific top-down modulation of attention and emotion influences on sensory processing.

A dysfunctional pattern associated with depression that can be modulated bidirectionally (top-down/bottom-up) depending upon the precise location of the rTMS target can be observed. Small shifts in target location within DLPFC can produce large differences in outcomes, and alterations in rsFC patterns can be beneficial both in selection of subjects and monitoring of response. (See, e.g., References 44 and 45).

Prior work used structurally (see, e.g., Reference 46) or functionally (see, e.g., References 47 and 48) guided rTMS. In contrast, the exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium can use surface rather than volume-guided targeting, and can consider rsFC to DMN and VIS as well as sgACC based upon recent findings. Surface-based targeting can provide 3-fold greater spatial localization than traditional volumetric targeting. (See, e.g., Reference 49). Moreover, use of a pre-designated parcellation procedure can greatly reduce data dimensionality and permits greater comparability of results across studies. Targeting on an individual basis was refined using rsFC to DMN, which implicated ventral regions of area 46. (See e.g., image shown in FIG. 8B). Dispersion of the target was small across subjects, suggesting that targeting might be accomplished using structural MRI alone.

Exemplary Suicidality

On a sample of 18 TRD patients who received ECT, biomarkers used to both diagnose and predict treatment response with approximately 100% accuracy were found. These imaging-based biomarkers included functional connectivity between frontal and visual areas. These Biomarkers were applied to an independent sample of 20 TRD patients who received TMS with >80% accuracy. The exemplary results indicate the use of area p9-46v as a target for the treatment of suicidality using less invasive approaches such as TMS.

FIGS. 9A-9C show exemplary images and graphs illustrating the development of biomarkers for suicidality and its treatment response to ECT on a sample of 18 TRD patients according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 9A shows the parcellation-based connectome between left DLPFC(46) used as seed and left VIS(TMS) at baseline in the group of suicidality (e.g., image 905) vs. non-suicidality (e.g., image 910). Correlation plot 915 includes baseline rsFC data for DLPFC(46)-VIS(TMS) associated with baseline scores on suicidality. ROC curve analyses of model DLPFC(46)-VIS(TMS) to predict suicidality. Images 920 and 925 shown in FIG. 9B display the parcellation-based connectome between left DLPFC(46) used as seed and left VIS(TMS) at baseline in the group of responders (e.g., image 920) vs. non-responders (e.g., image 925) to ECT. Correlation plot 930 shows baseline rsFC data for DLPFC(46)-VIS(TMS) associated with change scores on suicidality. ROC curve analyses of model DLPFC(46)-VIS(TMS) to predict treatment response for suicidality. The images shown in FIG. 9C display the change in the parcellation-based connectome between left DLPFC(46) used as seed and left VIS(TMS) in the group of responders (e.g., image 935) vs. non-responders (e.g., image 940). Element 945 illustrates parcels with increased negative correlation with left DLPFC(46) and element 950 illustrates parcels with increased positive correlation with left DLPFC(46). Correlation plot 955 and 960 show changes in rsFC data for DLPFC(46)-VIS(TMS) associated with change scores on suicidality. AUC is the area under the curve; p, is a Likelihood Ratio Test.

FIGS. 10A-10D show exemplary graphs illustrating the validation of biomarkers on an independent sample of 20 TRD responders and non-responders to TMS according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. ROC curve analyses of model DLPFC(46)-VIS(TMS) was used to predict suicidality and its treatment response to TMS. AUC is the area under the curve; p, is a Likelihood Ratio Test.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary flow diagram of an exemplary method 1100 for determining a target for a transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment of a patient according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, at procedure 1105, imaging information of a portion of a head of the patient can be received. At procedure 1110, information concerning a psychiatric disorder associated with the patient can be received. At procedure 1115, a database having information related to a plurality of disorders and associated brain parcels can be accessed. At procedure 1120, the psychiatric disorder can be matched to a particular disorder of the disorders. At procedure 1125 a particular brain parcel of the brain parcels associated with the particular disorder can be determined. At procedure 1130, (i) the skull, and (ii) a parcel in a section of a brain of the patient can be identified. At procedure 1135, the position or the characteristic of the target for the TMS treatment of the patient can be determined based on the imaging information and the particular parcel obtained from the database. At procedure 1140, a placement of a TMS coil on the portion of the head of the patient can be determined based on the position or the characteristic of the target. At procedure 1145, information related to particular position or a particular orientation of the TMS coil relative to the position or the characteristic of target can be electronically recorded. At procedure 1150, a placement of the TMS coil relative to the target can be determined based on the particular position or the particular orientation. At procedure 1155, a TMS procedure can be performed on the patient based on the position or the characteristic of the target.

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure. For example, exemplary procedures in accordance with the present disclosure described herein can be performed by a processing arrangement and/or a computing arrangement 1205. Such processing/computing arrangement 1205 can be, for example entirely or a part of, or include, but not limited to, a computer/processor 1210 that can include, for example one or more microprocessors, and use instructions stored on a computer-accessible medium (e.g., RAM, ROM, hard drive, or other storage device).

As shown in FIG. 12, for example a computer-accessible medium 1215 (e.g., as described herein above, a storage device such as a hard disk, floppy disk, memory stick, CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, etc., or a collection thereof) can be provided (e.g., in communication with the processing arrangement 1205). The computer-accessible medium 1215 can contain executable instructions 1220 thereon. In addition or alternatively, a storage arrangement 1225 can be provided separately from the computer-accessible medium 1215, which can provide the instructions to the processing arrangement 1205 so as to configure the processing arrangement to execute certain exemplary procedures, processes and methods, as described herein above, for example.

Further, the exemplary processing arrangement 1205 can be provided with or include an input/output arrangement 1235, which can include, for example a wired network, a wireless network, the internet, an intranet, a data collection probe, a sensor, etc. As shown in FIG. 12, the exemplary processing arrangement 1205 can be in communication with an exemplary display arrangement 1230, which, according to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, can be a touch-screen configured for inputting information to the processing arrangement in addition to outputting information from the processing arrangement, for example. Further, the exemplary display 1230 and/or a storage arrangement 1225 can be used to display and/or store data in a user-accessible format and/or user-readable format.

The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems, arrangements, and procedures which, although not explicitly shown or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Various different exemplary embodiments can be used together with one another, as well as interchangeably therewith, as should be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. In addition, certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings and claims thereof, can be used synonymously in certain instances, including, but not limited to, for example, data and information. It should be understood that, while these words, and/or other words that can be synonymous to one another, can be used synonymously herein, that there can be instances when such words can be intended to not be used synonymously. Further, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it is explicitly incorporated herein in its entirety. All publications referenced are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

EXEMPLARY REFERENCES

The following references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties:

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What is claimed is:
 1. A non-transitory computer-accessible medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for determining at least one of a position or a characteristic of at least one target for a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment of at least one patient, wherein, when a computer arrangement executes the instructions, the computer arrangement is configured to perform procedures comprising: receiving imaging information of at least one portion of a head of the at least one patient; and determining the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target for the TMS treatment of the at least one patient based on the imaging information.
 2. The computer-accessible medium of claim 1, wherein the imaging information is magnetic resonance imaging information.
 3. The computer-accessible medium of claim 1, wherein the imaging information includes information regarding a brain and a skull of the at least one patient.
 4. The computer-accessible medium of claim 1, wherein the computer arrangement is configured to determine the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target by identifying (i) the skull, and (ii) a parcel in at least one section of a brain of the at least one patient.
 5. The computer-accessible medium of claim 4, wherein the parcel is a dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) parcel.
 6. The computer-accessible medium of claim 5, wherein the computer arrangement is configured to identify the DLPFC parcel using a parcellation procedure.
 7. The computer-accessible medium of claim 6, wherein the parcellation procedure is a human connectome pipeline procedure.
 8. The computer-accessible medium of claim 5, wherein the computer arrangement is further configured to identify the DLPFC parcel using at least one atlas.
 9. The computer-accessible medium of claim 5, wherein the DLPFC parcel is parcel
 46. 10. The computer-accessible medium of claim 9, wherein the DLPFC parcel is a ventral area of DLPFC46.
 11. The computer-accessible medium of claim 5, wherein the DLPFC parcel is parcel one of (i) p9-46v, (ii) pSTS, (iii) TPOJ, (iv) MT, (iv) A1, (vi) LBelt or (vii) STV.
 12. The computer-accessible medium of claim 1, wherein the computer arrangement is further configured to determine a placement of at least one TMS coil on the at least one portion of the head of the at least one patient based on the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target.
 13. The computer-accessible medium of claim 12, wherein the computer arrangement is further configured to transmit the at least one placement to at least one neuronavigation device.
 14. The computer-accessible medium of claim 12, wherein the computer arrangement is further configured to: electronically record information related to at least one of a particular position or a particular orientation of the TMS coil relative to the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target; and verify a placement of the TMS coil relative to the at least one target based on the at least one of the particular position or the particular orientation.
 15. The computer-accessible medium of claim 1, wherein the computer arrangement is further configured to receive information concerning a psychiatric disorder associated with the at least one patient, and wherein the determination of the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target is based on the information.
 16. The computer-accessible medium of claim 15, wherein the psychiatric disorder is at least one of (i) depression, (ii) Autism, (iii) suicidality, (iv) obsessive compulsive disorder, or (v) hallucinations.
 17. The computer-accessible medium of claim 15, wherein the computer arrangement is further configured to: access at least one database having information related to a plurality of disorders and associated brain parcels, match the psychiatric disorder to a particular disorder of the disorders, determine a particular brain parcel of the brain parcels associated with the particular disorder, and determine the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target based on the particular parcel.
 18. The computer-accessible medium of claim 1, wherein the computer-arrangement is further configure to perform a TMS procedure on the at least one patient based on the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target.
 19. A method for determining at least one of a position or a characteristic of at least one target for a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment of at least one patient, comprising: receiving imaging information of at least one portion of a head of the at least one patient; and using a computer hardware arrangement, determining the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target for the TMS treatment of the at least one patient based on the imaging information.
 20. A system for determining at least one of a position or a characteristic of at least one target for a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment of at least one patient, comprising: a computer hardware arrangement configured to: receive imaging information of at least one portion of a head of the at least one patient; and determine the at least one of the position or the characteristic of the at least one target for the TMS treatment of the at least one patient based on the imaging information. 